Wednesday, 23 October 2013

COP 3 - Lecture 2

Lecture 2Organising your research project:

- Go to library and get the book 'doing your research project'- Study section in the library - Approaches to research- Quantitive vs Qualitative - What metrologies suit your project best - What and how are you going to research

Which are the best methods - Quantitive (Methods of research such as statistical data, numerical graphs, analysing trends, a body of peoples opinions, surveys and questionaries - Qualitative (content, theory, philosophy, different set of strategies)- Action research (If your project is 'experiment through practice', real world situations, action in the situation, reflection on the moment)

Planning the project - Write down all the questions that you want to ask yourself - Consider each on their merits and focus on two (primary and secondary) - Write a 'first though' sheet for each - Central question and secondary question, what am I trying to achieve and is it achievable ?- Decide on a 'working title' - Project outline

Consider timing - 12 weeks today DEADLINE - Consider holiday / Work / Life - Think about the different aspects of your working title that will needs addressing - Allocate timings to each - Draw up a project outline based on the above - Allow generous time for initial reading and writing up - Factor in tutorials

Reading - Find out all the key texts on your chosen subject, plan time to read these- Find secondary sources/ criticisms of key texts (triangulation)- Do a literature search Use journals (www.jstor.org)

Organising table - A grid or timetable which documents all books, harvard reference, key concepts, comments, application and questions to document what links with what

Ethics - Does the research involve other people, will there be participants - Does it involve participants who are particularly vulnerable - Will the study involve the discussion of sensitive topics (sexual activity, drug use)- Are there issues of safety

Questionnaires- Discuss with tutor about what type of questions you wish to ask - Avoid ambiguity, can't be vague must be precise - Avoid double, leading, presuming or offensive questions

Interviews - Structured and unstructured interview- How will you analyse the questions - Plan the interview / prepare the room - Interview yourself and the purpose of the interview - Record the interview (permission required) to transcribe

Checklist - Dont procrastinate - Plan research methods carefully - Select the most appropriate research methods for my project- Complete an ethics self assessment - Complete an extensive literature review - Document all stages of the process carefully - Produce a detailed project outline, with timings, and stick to it - Get the most from your supervision